From September 2026, the Government is expanding eligibility for Free School Meals (FSM). All children in households receiving Universal Credit will become eligible for Free School Meals, regardless of household earnings.
Your child will be eligible if you access:
- Universal Credit
Aside from Universal Credit, children remain eligible if their parents receive:
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
- The guarantee part of Pension Credit
Households may also be entitled to a free school meal if:
- are in receipt of income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- meet criteria set out in separate guidance for families with no recourse to public funds
There will be two categories of free school meal eligibility:
- Targeted free school meals – for families with a household income of £7,400 or less. These pupils will attract Pupil Premium funding for schools therefore can also benefit from additional support such as the Holidays and Food (HAF) Programme and support with funding curriculum essential activities.
- Expanded free school meals – a new category covering pupils who do not qualify for targeted FSM, but who are in households receiving Universal Credit.
Pupils on free school meals used to have their eligibility protected for 6 years however from September 2026 these protections for free school meals will end. Households must meet the FSM eligibility criteria from the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year to continue receiving provision and eligibility will be checked annually by the local authority. If you are already registered for free school meals this will happen automatically.
Further Information
If you would like further information, please use this link.
How to apply
You should complete the form, filling in the names of all the children you want to claim for. You only need to fill in
one form even if your children go to different schools.
Apply online
Apply online using the online application form.
How does free school meals work at CTA?
How does free school meals work?
- Students who are eligible for free school meals (FSM) receive a daily allowance of £2.41, which can be used to purchase food during the school day. This amount is available each day but does not roll over if not used.
What if more than £2.41 is spent in a day?
- If a student spends more than their daily allowance, the additional cost will be charged to their catering account and will need to be paid by their parent or carer. Families can also add extra funds to their child’s account at any time via the My Child At School (MCAS) app if they wish to provide additional spending money.
How can my child make the most of their allowance?
- To maximise the value of their FSM allowance, we recommend that students prioritise spending on food and bring a refillable water bottle or drink from home. Purchasing drinks in school can reduce the amount available for a nutritious meal.
- Our catering provider offers a range of lunchtime meal deals, which provide excellent value and help students enjoy a balanced lunch. For example, students can purchase a main meal and dessert/home-bake for £2.35, ensuring they receive a filling and nutritious meal within their allowance.
What about when my child goes on a school trip for the day?
- When students go on school trips, those eligible for free school meals will be provided with a packed ‘grab bag’ lunch. This typically includes a filled bread roll, a piece of fruit, a home-baked item, and a bottle of water.